Pixar films often undergo significant changes during production, although it is unusual for these changes to be as publicly visible as they have been with Elio. Initially announced for release in spring 2024, Elio has experienced several shifts in its release date and is now set to premiere on June 20. A third trailer has been released, presenting what seems to be a completely new and different movie compared to earlier previews.
When Elio was first introduced in 2022, it was described as a story about a boy who is taken into space and mistaken for Earth’s sole representative. While this element remains part of the film, it is not mentioned in the latest trailer. Instead, the trailer emphasizes the boy, Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), forming his first genuine friendship with an alien named Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly), a character who had minimal presence in previous trailers.
The new trailer suggests a character-driven story of friendship set in space, with hints at various challenges and a larger threat, possibly involving Elio saving Earth. The dynamic and playful essence sets the stage for potential engaging scenarios for both characters involved.
The first trailer for Elio does not feature Glordon and portrays the character Grigon (voiced by Brad Garrett) as an "Ambassador" rather than a "Lord," suggesting a possible shift in roles from a positive character or a different purpose initially. This change is noticeable in the new trailer.
A very early teaser trailer lacked the presence of Glordon and did not clearly establish the storyline seen in the latest trailer. However, another trailer released several months later serves as a bridge between the two previews, showcasing the evolving narrative. The third trailer highlights Elio’s interactions with other alien ambassadors and includes a brief glimpse of Glordon, while Grigon’s character has taken on a more menacing demeanor.
It remains uncertain what led to these changes. It is presumed that earlier versions of Elio were not meeting the studio’s expectations, prompting Pixar to make modifications to enhance the film. Such alterations typically occur behind the scenes, making it interesting to observe them reflected in the marketing materials. This type of revision process is common at Pixar; sometimes it leads to positive results, as seen with previous projects like Ratatouille, while at other times, it may not, as with Brave. Ultimately, all changes aim to better serve the story and the film.
Elio features voice performances by Yonas Kibreab, Remy Edgerly, Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, and Shirley Henderson. The film was directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, and is scheduled to open on June 20.
